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The Federal Emergency Management Agency will award a $1.2 million grant to the Wilkes-Barre fire department.

The money can be used for hiring new firefighters, according to John Rizzo, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

Casey and Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, said they wrote letters to FEMA in support of the award.

Both letters noted recent downsizing in the department and urged the agency to help.

"I am advised that the City of Wilkes-Barre will use this funding to hire eight full-time firefighters that have been lost through attrition," Casey wrote. "This funding will help relieve the undue psychological burden on the currently overextended staff, and ensure that the City of Wilkes-Barre has the first responders in place to quickly, safely and effectively respond to emergencies."

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